BCS Rankings: 10 Reasons Why Stanford Is Better Than Auburn

For just a minute, consider the thought.

Is Auburn (12-0) truly heads above the rest of the country? Sure, the Tigers have run through the season undefeated (in arguably the nation's toughest conference), have a quarterback that's a clear favorite for the Heisman Trophy and have put up incredible statistics.

Obviously Oregon (11-0) could make a case that it is just as good, but let's jump down a couple spots below and look at Stanford (11-1). Amazing stats? Check. Heisman Trophy quarterback? Absolutely (at least in the top three). Body of work? Tremendous, even with one loss.

It's a compelling argument, and one in which Stanford has plenty in its favor. So let's go ahead and tackle it. Here are 10 reasons why the Cardinal are just as good as the Tigers:

10. A Different Standard

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PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Jim Harbaugh congratulates Delano Howell #26 of the Stanford Cardinal after he made an interception on a pass intended for Joe Halahuni #87 of the Oregon State Beavers at Stanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Pa

Like it or not, you have to factor in the academic standards at Stanford. Coach Jim Harbaugh can't just go out and recruit anyone. To have this collection of players achieve this kind of success is remarkable.

9. No Gerhart? No Problem

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PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Stepfan Taylor #33 of the Stanford Cardinal runs with the ball during their game against the Oregon State Beavers at Stanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Stanford entered the season without running back Toby Gerhart, last year's Heisman Trophy runner-up who is now a rookie with the Minnesota Vikings. Gaping holes like that usually aren't filled, but the Cardinal have kept going, averaging 467.3 total yards per game and getting plenty from Stepfan Taylor, who's rushed for 1,023 yards and 15 touchdowns.

8. Not As Wide As You Think

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PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal pitches the ball to Tyler Gaffney #25 during their game against the Oregon State Beavers at Stanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty I

You may be tempted to think that Auburn's offense is way better than Stanford's, but that's not necessarily true if you just examine the stats alone. The Tigers are seventh nationally in total offense (490.1 total yards per game), average 42.1 points and just over 210 yards passing per game.

Stanford is 14th in total offense (467.3) and scores just under 40 points a contest (39.8) while passing for over 260 yards a contest.

7. Only Two Close Calls

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PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Stanford Cardinal is covered with water from a Gatorade cooler by Andrew Luck #12 and Chike Amajoyi #43 after the Cardinal beat the Oregon State Beavers at Stanford Stadium on November 27, 2010

Auburn is 6-0 in games decided by eight points or less, while Stanford has had only two close calls this year. The Cardinal won both.

Yes, great teams have to succeed under pressure, but dominance is just as impressive.

6. String of Success

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PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Tyler Gaffney #25 of the Stanford Cardinal breaks free en route to scoring a touchdown during their game against the Oregon State Beavers at Stanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw

Some will look and point out how Auburn has rushed for more than 300 yards against six straight SEC opponents and scored 50 points or more five times this year. Both are school records.

Stanford, however, has scored 35 points or more in 10 games, and has averaged nearly as many yards rushing on the road (198.7) as at home (223.3).

5. Out of the Gate

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PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal lines up his team against the Oregon State Beavers at Stanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Auburn fell behind to Alabama 24-0 before staging its incredible comeback on Friday. Stanford? Well, the Cardinal have outscored opponents 145-34 in the first quarter this season.

4. Shutting Them Down

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BERKELEY, CA - NOVEMBER 20: The Stanford Cardinal celebrate with 'The Axe' after beating the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Stanford's defense has posted three shutouts this season, the most since 1969. Auburn has none. Last week against Oregon State, the Cardinal also forced five turnovers, an incredible stat considering the Beavers had only seven on the season. That was tied for tops in the country.

3. New Territory

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PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Zach Ertz#86 of the Stanford Cardinal is congratulated by Ryan Whalen #8 after he scored a touchdown against the Oregon State Beavers at Stanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Get

Auburn's gone undefeated before and has been in contention for national championships, so this isn't exactly historic. Stanford, however, has set single-season records for victories (11), conference victories (eight), points (484) and seen Andrew Luck set a single-season record for touchdown passes (28).

2. Bigger Margin

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BERKELEY, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Players for the Stanford Cardinal pray before their game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Take just their past five games, and Stanford's margin of victory is bigger than Auburn's: The Cardinal have won by an average of 28.4 points while Auburn's won by 16.8.

1. About the Quarterbacks

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BERKELEY, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal warms up before their game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

There's no denying Cam Newton's talent, or his place as one of the greatest players in SEC history. He has 43 total touchdowns on the year, which is second in the nation and tied for second in SEC history. He's also set single-season school records for passing touchdowns (24) and rushing touchdowns (18).

Andrew Luck, however, has thrown for 3,051 yards and 28 touchdowns, while rushing for 438 yards and three TDs. The 28 touchdowns are a school record, eclipsing a mark previously held by John Elway and Steve Stenstrom (24). Luck is also predicted by many to be the top pick in next year's NFL Draft.

It's a great debate: Newton's got the numbers. So does Luck.